Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-16
Two Sensational Contests.

| Two Sensational Contests.
The interest in the Senatorial contest in
Indiana and New Jersey is growing in
Intensity. Our dispatches Indicate that
in I! diana there is almost certain to be
two loint conventions ard two Senators
chosen, The uuseating OF one Democrat
in the House and the seating Of Repub-
! lean in his place gives eacD party the
same number Of votes in joint session. As
the returns were originally made up The
/ Democrats had two majority. The Demo-
Gratis, however, do not recognize the
! legality of the action OF the epubicans,
and, doubtless, will refuse to go into
JOINT session with them. The Demo-
Gratis, however, made a mistake in the
/ beginning by refusing 10 recognize the
! election of Lieut. Gov. Robertson, and so
gave the Republicans some excuse for
| their subsequent action in unseating a
| Democratic member OF the House. The
| Lieutenant Governor is the presiding Off
| Ger OF the Senate, and il was thought that
| an advantage would be obtained by keep
Ing him out OF his Office
There is no doubt that Robertson re-
ceived majority of the votes cast. The
Democrats, however, claim that there
was no vacancy. The Democratic
! Lieutenant Governor resigned h-
Office 10 accept n Federal office.
II e Democrats and Republicans each
nominated cand date TO succeed him
The Republican candidate had majority
over the Democratic candidate of about
1000 votes. When the result or the cleo
tion became known the Democratic lead
ers took the position that the res gnatiOn OF
the Lieutenant Governor did not create a
vacancy, and that the office remained In
allegiance until the next general election.
The Democrats, having a majority OF the
Senate, al once elected presiding officer
pro tem., and refused to join with the
House In canvassing the vote for Lieu
tenant Governor. The Republicans,
having control of the House,
canvassed the vote in the
presence of tie Republican Senators, and
declared Robertson (their candidacy
elected. Robertson ana the pro t. m
President Of the Senate are now contend
ing in the courts for the presiding officers
chair. That is the situation in Indiana.
In New Jersey the outlook for the
Democrats is a little better tnan it was a
few days ago. In that State the Repub
licans have control OF the Senate, aud the
Democrats of the House. The Democrats
have majority of two on joint ballot,
and could have elected a Democratic
senator if ballot could have been had
the day the Legislature convened.
and every Democrat had stood squarely
by his party. The Republicans, however.
organized the House through the treach
cry of three Democrats, who joined the
Republicans for the purpose. apparently.
of getting the offices for themselves and
their friends. 1t is not yet clear to what
extent the bargain between the three
Democrats and the Republicans affects
rhs dictatorship question. The three
Democrats say that they intend to vote
for the Democratic Senatorial candidate
1t is noticeable, however, that the Speak
err, who is one of these three Democrats.
has made up the Committee on Election
in the interest OF the Republicans, and
it is ptGbAbIe that the programme is to
uuseat enough Democrats to give the
Republicans majority on JOINT ballot.
Both Indiana and New Jersey are
Democratic States, and they bob had
majorities returned to their respective
Legsla ures Under the circumstances
IL will not be much to the credit of d mo
cratic MANAGEMENT II the Republicans
succeed in capturing the Senator'S from
Doth the States.
Tue Republicans, or course, would like
10 elect their candidates without any
cloud upon their titles, but il they send
them to Washington with only slight
show or riSht, II Is probable that they
VII have accomplished all they now ex-
pect TO.
The Senate is the judge of the election
o. its own mem bers. and as the Senate is
Republican,, and as the Republicans need
every Senator they can get TO enable the m
to h"id their majorl y in that body, Demo-
Gratis would stand very poor chance Of
getting their rights at Washington.
In both States the balloting Will begin
this week, and in both the ruggla. begun
under such sensational circumstances.
will doubtless be long continued aud at.
tract deep interest throughout the
country.